Besitos de Amor Back to Her Best in Handicap Pipiolo

Guided Confidently by Francisco Leandro, Besitos de Amor Outduels Pasaron Cosas and Continues to Progress for Miguel Cafere

Besitos de Amor Holds Off Pasaron Cosas Late / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

After the electric atmosphere of Saturday’s Carreras de las Estrellas at Palermo, racing returned to a quieter rhythm Sunday at San Isidro. The featured event on a strong card of allowance races was the modest Handicap Pipiolo, contested over 2000 meters on turf for 4- and 5-year-old fillies and mares.

With Opereta (Hi Happy), the original topweight and likely favorite, scratched from the race, Besitos de Amor took full advantage to step up and reaffirm her steady improvement since joining the barn of trainer Miguel Cafere.

Making only her second start outside of conditions company – her previous try had been an unplaced effort in the G1 Gran Premio Gilberto Lerena – the daughter of the late Besitos (Cima de Triomphe), winner of the G1 San Martín, benefited from carrying a manageable 54 kilos under a sharp ride by Francisco Leandro.

The Brazilian jockey allowed Delauney (Suggestive Boy) to dictate terms with Pasaron Cosas (Treasure Beach)tracking close in second. Once into the stretch, Besitos de Amor quickly took command, outkicking the public’s choice and setting up a fierce battle to the wire.

Despite a persistent challenge from Pasaron Cosas, Besitos de Amor held gamely to score by half a length, with Priola (South Kissing) finishing 1 1/2 lengths further back in third after a sustained rally. Final time was 2:04.35 over ground rated as normal, with sectionals of :24.59, :48.67, 1:13.5 and 1:38.86.

Bred by Haras Adeodato and racing for Caballeriza Santa Anita of Concepción del Uruguay, Besitos de Amorrecorded her third win from 21 career starts, 20 of which have come at San Isidro.

With her steady progression under Cafere’s care and set to turn five soon, the prospect of her becoming a consistent player in these types of races seems far from unrealistic.